Second Manchin Inauguration Could Be More Costly
By JOSELYN KING Political WriterFour years ago, West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin spent $1.3 million on his inauguration. He plans to spend more later this month for his second inauguration ceremony.
Tentative plans have been announced for Manchin's inaugural ceremony. A total of $1.3 million in private funds was raised for events surrounding the governor's swearing in four years ago, and no taxpayer money is involved.
"I don't have any cost figures, but we anticipate raising the same amount of money this year," said Sarah Payne-Scarbro, spokeswoman for the Manchin campaign. "Because of price increases over the past four years, we could be spending more. But we will not be adding any more.
"We have the same exact layout of events, but I would not be surprised if costs would increase."
The events of four years ago included regional inaugural ceremonies in Wheeling and in the Eastern Panhandle. Scarbro said the local celebrations are not being planned this year, and that Manchin encourages all state residents to make the trip to Charleston for inaugural festivities.
Manchin is one of 11 governors being sworn into office this month, and six of the elected governors have announced they are foregoing inaugural ceremonies as their states struggle financially.
But West Virginia remains one of several states in solid financial shape, and Manchin feels there is much to celebrate, according to Scarbro.
"We've made a lot of advancements over the years," she said. "We are taking note, and celebrating the progress."
She noted that in January 2005, Manchin first took office in the shadows of a State Capitol dome that was under wraps and undergoing a restoration. The theme of the first inauguration was "The Road to Success is Often Under Construction."
The Capitol dome project is now completed, and the theme for the 2009 events is "A New West Virginia."
Events begin at noon Sunday, Jan. 18, with a High Noon Ecumenical Mass at the Sacred Heart Co-Cathedral in East Charleston.
At 8:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 19, there will a Martin Luther King Jr. Program of Tribute and Remembrance at the Asbury United Methodist Church in Charleston.
A parade down Kanawha Boulevard that ends at the Capitol Complex begins at 8:30 a.m.
Manchin is to be sworn in at 1 p.m. on the north side Capitol steps, and a reception will immediately follow in the Capitol Rotunda and Cultural Center Great Hall.
There is no charge for any of the events.
Tickets to the inaugural ball, which starts at 8 p.m. Monday at the Charleston Civic Center, will cost $50 each and are available through the Charleston Civic Center box office.
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mymomscool
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01-05-09 12:11 PM
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I don't agree with this elaborate celebration, BUT, before we consider the state of the economy and whether this is affordable and judge the event based on those figures, keep in mind the article makes it clear that this is fund raiser money, not tax payer money.
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TruthinPolitics
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01-04-09 6:54 PM
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Maybe Joe should look around at his state and realize it isn't in such great shape. No cause for celebration for the working families of West Virginia. What's left of them.
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SphinxRising58
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01-04-09 3:30 PM
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Hey! Look at it this way, now that he has been re-elected, he can hire some more family to help run the state, lol
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wvmountie
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01-04-09 1:25 PM
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Governor Manchin should be ashamed to spend so recklessly to promote himself in this time of economic crisis. But he already dropped thousands of state dollars on his parties at the Governors Mansion (where one woman got so drunk that she had an accident near the Capitol and a DUI). The truth is that Gov. Manchin only cares about promoting himself and he has no shame.
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EarlDav
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01-04-09 12:11 PM
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Sounds to me as if Manchin has an ego problem ! I can't believe he cares for the state of West Virginia and does such a foolish thing as spending that amount of money on a frivilous occasion that is not needed !
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TheRealityPolice
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01-04-09 11:38 AM
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Maybe Garrison is coughing up some funds. What a goof - a RESPONSIBLE governor would say, "Hey - let's not blow money up the chimney this year - we may need it in the coming months." He must be living in an altered reality. WAIT - that is Charleston, right??
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Melvin
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01-04-09 10:49 AM
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Yea right, we are ok financially (for now) so that justifies the celebration. We are still in near last place on many measures. Idiots.
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Melvin
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01-04-09 10:44 AM
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I can't find a single voter/resident of West Virginia who will stand up and say that we need to have this elaborate inauguration. Even if paid for privately, there is time and other resources spent by state employees to support this ridiculous endeavor.
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CTMountaineer
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01-04-09 10:00 AM
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This is unbelievable. More than a million dollars just to give the bozo another opportunity to get in front of a camera. The State can afford it, no problem. I mean it has a budget surplus, right? It also has not paved any roads in years and it funds its higher education system with less than any other state in the country.
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EllisWyatt
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01-04-09 12:13 AM
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Great message, MOJO. West Virginia-Open for Funny Business. Are you spending your own money, taxpayers' money, Mylan's money or some other corporate stooge donation?
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